Swanson named preseason All-American by Athlon

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Univ. of Ark.) - Arkansas senior center Travis Swanson was named a second-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports, it was announced Tuesday.

A native of Kingwood, Texas, Swanson was also named preseason first-team All-SEC by Athlon and is one of 44 players included on the spring watch list for the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded each year to the most outstanding center in college football.

Swanson has started all 38 games of his Razorback career and blocked for three seasons with a 3,000-yard passer, including the first season in school history with a 3,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard rusher in 2010. As a junior in 2012, Swanson earned second-team All-SEC honors after blocking on an offensive line that helped the UA offense set 20 school or SEC records. Arkansas also produced a 1,000-yard receiver in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history and a 3,000-yard passer for the fourth straight year.

Arkansas kicks off the 2013 season Aug. 31 when it hosts Louisiana inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. A limited number of season tickets remain and can be purchased by calling the UA Ticket Office at 800-982-HOGS (4647) or visiting ArkansasRazorbacks.com.